Our View: Let's continue having a mature debate on marijuana

5:31 PM,
Nov. 25, 2012

Iowa Pharmacy Board member Margaret Whitworth, right, and Executive Director Lloyd Jessen, listen during a 2009 public hearing on the benefits of medicinal marijuana, as a proponent holds a sign up behind them.

Written by

Press-Citizen Editorial Board
| Our View

Back in 1979, then state representatives Dale Hibbs (R-Iowa City) and Bob Arnould (D-Davenport) helped shepherd a bill through the Iowa House that would have allowed marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes. With such bipartisan support, the bill managed to get out of committee and onto the House floor for a full debate.

After a few hours of grueling political circus, the sponsors decided to withdraw the bill because it was abundantly clear that there wasn't the support necessary to pass the measure in that legislative session.